It’s unlikely, but still possible, that the M’s can make the postseason. With their 4-3 win Friday over the Los Angeles Angels, the Boys in Blue — or teal, as it were — remain two games out of the second American League wild-card slot behind the division rival Oakland Athletics.

And the M’s have just two games left. In order to earn a postseason berth, Seattle must win both of its remaining games and the A’s must lose both of theirs — then the M’s must win the resulting one-game playoff Monday. The Mariners are not in control of their own destiny.

Seattle’s Logan Morrison, right, greets Michael Saunders at home plate after Saunders batted him in with a two-run homer in the second inning Friday. (Ted S. Warren/AP Photo)

Yet the mere fact we’re having this discussion — whether the M’s will make the postseason for the first time since 2001 — is miraculous, considering this team’s performance over the past decade. And the fact that 26,865 people showed up at Safeco Field on Friday was just as miraculous … though a bevy of giveaways for Fan Appreciation Night might have helped fill seats.

“Hopefully this is the start of something good for this organization,” Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said after the victory. “Get the fans back out cheering for us and rooting for us — it uplifts the players, trust me. That’s what a player wants. When you get that kind of atmosphere behind you, it helps. There’s no question about it.”

Seattle’s fan base has been as two-faced as its team. One day they’re ardent; the next they’re despondent. Meanwhile, one day the Mariners are outstanding; the next they downright stink.

The M’s put up nine hits Friday in the first game of their final home stand after having lost five straight games down the stretch, losing two of three in Houston then getting swept in Toronto. It’s a miracle they’re still in contention. They can thank the A’s, who broke a three-game losing streak Friday against Texas, for that.

“I think we’re really fortunate to be where we are,” said left fielder Dustin Ackley, whose fifth-inning solo homer ended up the difference in Friday’s game. “Having lost five in a row on the road was pretty tough, but to still be in it is awesome. I mean, to have the games mean something, it makes it that much more intense.”

On Saturday, the Mariners will be intently watching the other A.L. West game down in Arlington, Texas, where the A’s will look to clinch their wild-card berth against the Rangers. That game starts at 5 p.m.; the Mariners won’t take the field at Safeco until 6.

Mariners starter Hisashi Iwakuma, center, is removed during the seventh inning after training staff became concerned about a potential injury to his throwing arm. Iwakuma said after the game that he felt fine. (Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

If Oakland is leading by the time M’s starter James Paxton throws his first pitch, it will take a lot of focus to keep their eye on the ball — so to speak. But then again, that’s why these guys are pros.

“We’re still gonna go out and compete regardless of what that score is, no matter what, and whatever happens, happens,” Ackley said. “It’s out of our control right now, and we’re just gonna do our best to win these next two and put pressure on (Oakland).”

If the Mariners play Saturday like they did Friday, they’ll be in good position if the A’s lose. On Friday against the Angels, the M’s swatted three home runs to take an early lead over L.A. ace Jared Weaver.

Designated hitter Kendrys Morales started things off in the bottom of the second with a towering shot to right field. First baseman Logan Morrison followed it up with a single, then rounded the bases when the next batter, right fielder Michael Saunders, blasted another bomb over the right-center field wall.

Ackley’s long ball in the fifth gave Seattle the cushion it needed to survive a late Angels threat. M’s starter Hisashi Iwakuma gave up back-to-back solo dingers to right fielder Kole Calhoun and center fielder Mike Trout in the sixth, yet immediately bounced back with two consecutive strikeouts to end the inning.

McClendon turned the ballgame over to his league-best bullpen in the seventh inning, when he yanked Iwakuma for precautionary measures after the pitcher appeared to tweak something in his right (throwing) arm. Iwakuma was checked out during the game and said afterward that he was feeling fine.

Mariners closer Fernando Rodney holds a framed photo and fireman’s helmet he was given before Friday’s game for setting a new team single-season record for saves. (Ted S. Warren/AP Photo)

By the time closer Fernando Rodney took the mound, Seattle had a 4-2 lead. Not one to disappoint, Rodney gave the Safeco crowd a wild show, giving up a single to second baseman Howie Kendrick, then a double to shortstop Eric Aybar, which narrowed the Mariners’ lead to 4-3.

Rodney retired the final two Angels batters, however, and notched his 48th save of the year — extending his franchise record on an evening in which the team honored him for setting a new benchmark with his 47th save a week ago.

Safeco fans rose to their feet and twirled their free rally towels as Rodney shut down the Halos, keenly aware that their team needed to win Friday to stay alive. And just like they have been all season, the Mariners were forceful enough against baseball’s best team to remain in contention despite low expectations at the beginning of spring training.

“We’ve been a very resilient club all year,” McClendon said. “I like where we are. I wish we were closer, but we’ll see what happens.”

Regardless of what does happen over the next two days, Mariners fans ought to be excited for next year. Seattle made great strides throughout this season, and should be able to bring that momentum and confidence into 2015.

“Our pitching staff and our bullpen’s gonna be — everybody’s gonna be coming back; it’s gonna be unbelievable,” Ackley said. “So if we can just continue to improve as an offense, I think we’re gonna be right where we need to be.

“I think we haven’t even played our best baseball this year, and we’re still in it at Game 161. So to say that is pretty remarkable.”

Everybody at Safeco Field was on their feet as Fernando Rodney worked to close out the Angels on Friday. (Nick Eaton/seattlepi.com)